Bellingham man booked on suspicion of vehicular assault after Samish Way accident

BELLINGHAM — A Bellingham man who hit a pedestrian with his car on Samish Way Saturday night, Dec. 21, was booked into jail on suspicion of vehicular assault, according to police.

Officers received a report that a shirtless man was jumping into the street and screaming at cars in the 1000 block of Samish Way at 10:03 p.m., Bellingham Police Sgt. Chad Cristelli said. A minute later, as police were on their way to that call, another caller reported that a southbound Subaru station wagon had struck a man in the same block, Cristelli said.

"We're not certain it was the same person, but it was in that area," Cristelli said.

The 29-year-old victim was unconscious and bleeding when police arrived, and he was taken to St. Joseph hospital with a head injury, Cristelli said.

The driver, Michael Scott Mcallister, 22, stopped his car at the scene and was later booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of vehicular assault.

According to police reports, Mcallister showed signs he was inebriated and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol, Cristelli said.

The road was blocked in that area for three to four hours while police conducted their investigation, Cristelli said.

When reached by phone Sunday afternoon, Dec. 22, the victim, Charles Ostrander, said he had just gotten out of the hospital and was doing alright.